Mohamed Salah’s move to Chelsea was a significant one, and it seems José Mourinho saw great potential in him from the start. The Egyptian winger’s talents had already been proven during his time at FC Basel, where he impressed with his goal-scoring ability, especially in the Champions League, catching the attention of top European clubs, including Liverpool. However, it was Mourinho’s personal call that convinced him to join Chelsea, marking a crucial moment in his career.
Salah spoke about how impactful Mourinho’s support has been, sharing how the coach’s motivation and encouragement helped him adapt to life and football in England. Mourinho himself praised Salah, noting his ability to make runs into space, a crucial skill that complements Chelsea’s attacking style. The Portuguese coach also highlighted Salah’s potential, understanding that the Egyptian’s qualities would make him an important player for Chelsea in the future, despite the need to take things step by step.
The decision to spend €13 million on Salah reflected Mourinho’s belief in his abilities, seeing him as a player capable of bringing versatility and fresh attacking options to Chelsea’s game. Looking back, this was a wise investment, as Salah would go on to prove himself as one of the most influential and prolific forwards in the world, especially during his time at Liverpool.